Documentary: Frontline – The Secret History of ISIS

Frontline (Aired May 14, 2016) on 60 Minutes.

A Tale of Two Presidents’ Failures to Stop Terrorists.

“Proceeding almost chronologically, the documentary details the transformation of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi from thug into jihadi leader, determined to erect an Islamic caliphate.

“From the mistake-ridden occupation of Iraq. As analysts note, that included the tactical error of disbanding the Iraqi military, offering the jihadists a fertile source of potential recruits.

“The missteps, however, didn’t end there. When President Obama was elected — in part on a commitment to wind down the war — his administration was slow to recognize and effectively counter ISIS as it gained strength in Syria. (Both the Obama administration and Cheney declined “Frontline’s” interview requests.)

“The story of U.S. interventions in the Middle East has frequently been one of unintended consequences. That seems especially true of the 15 years since the Sept. 11 attacks, from President George W. Bush and Cheney’s misplaced priorities to Obama putting too much faith in local forces and slowly responding to the deteriorating situation in Syria.

“”Without those series of decisions, there would be no ISIS,” says former White House counter-terrorism adviser Richard Clarke.” [01]